RESUMO
In Ethiopia maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality remains high. Timely access to quality emergency obstetric and neonatal care is essential for the prevention of adverse outcomes. Training healthcare providers can play an important role in improving quality of care, thereby reducing maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity. The aim of this study was to evaluate change of knowledge, skills and behaviour in health workers who attended a postgraduate Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care training in Gondar, Ethiopia. A descriptive study with before-after approach, using a mix of quantitative and qualitative data, based on Kirkpatrick's model for training evaluation was conducted. The evaluation focussed on reaction, knowledge, skills, and change in behaviour in clinical practice of health care providers and facilitator's perspectives on performance. A 'lessons learned approach' was included to summarize facilitators' perspectives. Health care providers reacted positively to the Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care training with significant improvement in knowledge and skills. Of the 56 participants who attended the training, 44 (79%) were midwives. The main evaluation score for lectures was 4,51 (SD 0,19) and for breakout sessions was 4,52 (SD 0.18) on scale of 1-5. There was a statistically significant difference in the pre and post knowledge (n = 28, mean difference 13.8%, SD 13.5, t = 6.216, p<0.001) and skills assessments (n = 23, mean difference 27.4%, SD 22.1%, t = 5.941, p<0.001). The results were the same for every component of the skills and knowledge assessment. Overall, they felt more confident in performing skills after being trained. Local sustainability, participant commitment and local context were identified as challenging factors after introducing a new training program. In Gondar Ethiopia, the Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care training has the potential to increase skilled attendance at birth and improve quality of care, both vital to the reduction of maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity.
RESUMO
OBJECTIVES: Severe pre-eclampsia and eclampsia are one of the major causes of maternal mortality globally. Reducing maternal morbidity and mortality demands optimizing quality of care. Criteria-based audits are a tool to define, assess and improve quality of care. The aim of this study was to determine applicability of a criteria-based audit to assess quality of care delivered to women with severe hypertensive disorders in pregnancy, and to assess adherence to protocols and quality of care provided at a regional hospital in Accra, Ghana. METHODS: Checklists for management of severe preeclampsia, hypertensive emergency and eclampsia were developed in an audit cycle based on nine existing key clinical care protocols. Fifty cases were audited to assess quality of care, defined as adherence to protocols. Analysis was stratified for complicated cases, defined as (imminent) eclampsia, perinatal mortality and/or one or more WHO maternal near miss C-criteria. RESULTS: Mean adherence to the nine protocols ranged from 15-85%. Protocols for 'plan for delivery' and 'magnesium sulphate administration' were best adhered to (85%), followed by adherence to protocols for 'eclampsia' (64%), 'severe pre-eclampsia at admission' (60%), 'severe pre-eclampsia ward follow-up' (53%) and 'hypertensive emergency' (53%). Protocols for monitoring were least adhered to (15%). No difference was observed for severe disease. Increased awareness, protocol-based training of staff, and clear task assignment were identified as contributors to better adherence. CONCLUSION: A criteria-based audit is an effective tool to determine quality of care, identify gaps in standard of care, and allow for monitoring and evaluation in a health facility, ultimately resulting in improved quality of care provided and reduced maternal morbidity and mortality. In our audit, good adherence was observed for plan for delivery and treatment with magnesium sulphate. Substandard adherence to a number of protocols was identified, and points towards opportunities for targeted improvement strategies.
